Where Can I Get Paid to Move to Greece?
The Greek island of Antikythira (sometimes spelled Antikythera) wants to pay families to move there, with a few special requirements. The island of Antikythira is between Crete and Kythira in the Aegean Sea.
The Antikythera authorities plan to build homes and to open applications from families who want to live on the island. When the program is live, successful applicants will be offered a house and a plot of land in exchange for moving there.
Contact: (+30) 273 603 1213
Are the Rumors True?
You might have read articles which suggest that you can be paid to move to a Greek island. We did our research to verify for you, interviewing local sources in Antikythera to learn more about this program. Elxis’s last conversation with local experts was in February, 2024.
So, are the rumors true? Can I really get paid to move Greece? If so, what island does this apply to? Can I move with my family? We’ll answer all the most frequently asked questions in this article.
Where Can I Apply to the Program?
Please direct any questions about applications to the Kythira Department of tourism at (+30) 273 603 1213. Note that their office is open during the week from 8:00 to 12:00.
When Can I Apply?
Antikythira has not yet welcomed any families with this program because the homes are not yet complete. To get updates on their construction, please direct any questions to local authorities in Antikythera.
Who Can I Speak With About the Program?
Elxis – At Home in Greece does not manage any of the proposed projects in this program. Please direct any questions to Kythira’s Tourism Department.
Why Would Antikythira Pay People to Move?
Antikythira is one of the smallest islands in the Aegean Sea, with 24 full-time residents and 40 during the summer tourist season. Forty years ago, the island of Antikythira had 300 people, but the number has steadily reduced over the years.
The initiative was organized by the Greek Orthodox Church of Kythera (which extends to Antikythera as well). The goal is to attract bakers, fishermen, and of course, children. The program is designed for five families with four children who will be interviewed and then given a financial incentive to live in Antikythera.
The amount given is 500 euros per month for two years, as well as a house as long as they desire to stay on the island. These houses have not been built yet because of some delays in paperwork.
About Antikythira
The president of Antikythira, Andrea Harhalakis, said in an interview with Iefimerida.gr that “we need young families, large enough to make Antikythira alive and full of children’s voices.”
Another larger goal of the community is to boost the local economy and bring new life to the small Greek island community. The island of Antikythira doesn’t have any gas stations or taxis. It has a small coffee shop which serves as a gathering place for locals and also functions as a market for groceries.
Who Should Move to Antikythira?
You are a good candidate to move to Antikythira if you like the isolation of the sparsely populated Greek island. The island also has fantastic views and swimming spots, with pristine beaches. The most popular beaches are the “Xeropotamos” and “Kamarila,” which are not far from the main port.
Walk through the low hills among the greenery and explore the country chapels and caves. Antikythira is also known for its wild goats and a large breeding colony of falcons, also called “Eleonora’s falcon.”
History of Antikythira
Two incredible archaeological discoveries were found in the sea next to Antikythira from 340 BC and 80 BC: The “Youth of Antikythira” and the so-called “Antikythira device” – a machine for calendar calculations.
The first residents of the island of Antikythira were called the Dolopes. Next, the Romans used the island for prisoners, and afterwards as a haven for pirates. Today, Antikythira is a peaceful escape with cool artifacts and historic sites, like a shipwreck from the early 1900s and a fort that housed pirates. For more historic stires in Greece, see our feature on UNESCO sites in Greece.
How to Get to Antikythira
A ferry connects Antikythira to nearby Kythera island, and this is the quickest option, which leaves five times every week. The trip lasts two to three hours. You can also reach Antikythira from Kissamos in Crete and Pireaus in Athens, but these boats take longer and leave less frequently. If there are strong winds, the boat might not travel.
Is Antikythira the Right Place for Me?
Antikythira has 40 residents during the high season. So, if you like peace and quiet, you might like living on this faraway Greek island. The simplicity of Greek island life, welcoming locals, and great weather are a few reasons to move to Antikythira.
Among the drawbacks of living on such a remote island is that the closest day excursion is two hours away by ferry. Receiving packages and sending mail also will take longer than on other Greek islands. The closest hospital is on Kythira island.
For urgent health needs, you can get a transfer from an EKAV helicopter or boat to a major city to receive care. For private air ambulances, a few options are Gamma Air Medical and Athens Medevac.
Other Islands in Greece Like Antikythera
Sikinos
250 Residents
Sikinos in Greece is a small island in the Cyclades, found next to Folegandros and Ios. The island is mostly free of tourism and features an unspoiled holiday away from the crowds that pour onto other Greek islands. The main town of Chora is known for its traditional blue and while houses and its narrow alleys.
Gavdos
150 Residents
The island of Gavdos is a hidden gem. It is the southernmost place to visit both in Greece and in Europe. The island of Gavdos belongs to Crete and is technically in the Chania prefecture. Gavdos is closer to Africa than to Athens and is about 26 miles from the city of Chora Sfakion (Sfakia) in Crete.
The island is small – about 32 square kilometers – so it is easily explored in a few days. An even smaller island, Gavdopoula, is found nearby. The landscape features pristine beaches and greenery of pine and juniper trees, just like in southern Crete. The most popular area for the hippy community to gather is on Agios Ioannis Beach, where some informal “streets” and “addresses” mark the tent homes of its nature-loving residents.
Chalki
500 Residents
Have you heard of Chalki before? Chalki is found in the Dodecanese archipelago, very close to Rhodes. It has not been touched by mass tourism yet and is a great destination for quiet vacations that are away from Greece’s main touristed sights.
Its solar electricity grid is the first of its kind in Greece, and it aims to power the whole island. The population is 330 and it has a “big brother” relationship with the island of Rhodes for some of its basic needs in the past, including energy. It is the smallest island in the Dodecanese island chain, and this Greek island has a total size of 28 square kilometers.
Why is it Called “Anti” Kythira?
A lot of English words with “anti” usually mean “against.” For example, “antifreeze” (preventing freezing), “ant-acid” (fighting against acid), and “antisocial” (not social). So, what is Antikythira against?
In fact, in Greek, the word “anti” also means “opposite to”. In other words, Antikythira is found opposite to the island of Kythira. If we take the Ancient Greek root, “anti” can also mean “instead of.” For example, it is used in the army. “General” is “Stratigos” and “Lt. General” would be “Antistratigos.” The Lt. General is the “replacement” of the general, in this case.
Usually, when we’re taking about Greek islands, the “anti” island is the smaller of a pair of two islands. Other pairs in Greece are Paros and Antiparos, Milos and Antimilos, Paxos and Antipaxos, and the little-known Psara and Antipsara.
About Elxis
Elxis is a leading provider of real estate and legal services in Greece. With offices in Thessaloniki, Crete and Utrecht (Netherlands), we have more than 30 years of experience in managing the purchase and sale of homes, ranging from comfortable holiday houses in traditional Greek villages to luxury beachside villas and apartments. We provide new and existing houses that meet all budgets in Crete, the Peloponnese, Corfu, Lefkas and just about every place else you can think of in Greece.
Alongside a 7-person in-house team of lawyers, Elxis has a sales team that includes native English, Dutch, and German speakers to answer all enquiries in your language. Bricks and mortar are important but Elxis understands that trust and reliable legal advice are necessary components to laying the foundations of a dream home.
